20 Best Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education 2018

The poem “Barter” by Sara Teasdale illustrates the concept of loveliness with an image, “children’s faces looking up/holding wonder like a cup.” If this is an image that resonates with you, you may want to consider an online master’s degrees in early childhood education. It will help if you already have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and some classroom experience, as that is what most of these programs require. Many also offer the option of teacher certification in the state where the school resides. You will need to be familiar with the licensing process in the state where you live.

In making this list, we looked at tuition value (10 points), the relevancy of the curriculum to the current demands of the profession (10 points) and the emphasis the university places on individual contact, in this case, represented by student to faculty ratio (10 points). Bonus points were awarded in cases of national recognition of a school’s online program (5 points), going above and beyond in the category of student services (5 points), or the existence of a reduced hourly rate of tuition for online students (5 points). In the case of a tie on points, they are ranked in order of decreasing tuition.

All tuition, enrollment, and student-to-faculty ratio numbers in this list of the 20 best online master’s degrees in early childhood education are from the National Center for Education Statistics, a service of the US government. All per-credit-hour, graduate tuition rates are as reported by school websites (where available) and do not include any fees that may apply.

#20 – Erikson Institute

Chicago, Illinois

Erikson Institute is looking for individuals who are passionate about making a difference in the field of early childhood education is a 35 credit-hour program that can be completed in 28 months. Studies include assessment for classroom teachers and advanced methods of teaching and learning across the pre-k to grade 3 curricula. Degrees must be completed within a maximum time frame of five years. Their graduate tuition rate is $1,000 per credit hour. They request that students have a minimum of one year of classroom experience before applying (two years is better), but they do make exceptions.

#19 – University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

Denver, Colorado

The University of Colorado – Denver offers more than 25 undergraduate and graduate degree options online. Their online master’s of arts in early childhood education has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1. It is a 36-hour degree program. It takes 2-3 years to complete, and 95% of students work full time while in school. Coursework includes research in schools and basic statistics. The discounted non-resident online tuition rate is $448 per credit hour. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#18 – Pacific Oaks College

Pasadena, California

Pacific Oaks College uses its social justice heritage to prepare students to change the world for the better. With a student-to-faculty ratio of just 6:1, their online master’s of arts in early childhood education is a 30-hour program that can be completed in two years full-time or four years part-time. Sample courses include creating responsive families for all communities and special topics in leadership in early childhood education. Pacific Oaks College offers access to the Great Work Perks program, which includes discounts on various attractions, services, and websites.

#17 – Texas A&M University – Commerce

Commerce, Texas

Texas A&M University – Commerce offers four options for an online master’s in early childhood education. All are 36-hour programs. The first is the master’s of education in early childhood with a teaching certificate. The master’s in education in early childhood with a teaching certificate and alternative certification through the University, the master’s of science in early childhood without a teaching certificate, and the master’s of arts, which is a 30-hour program plus six hours of thesis work. Required coursework in the program includes literacy development in the early years and creative expressions in the arts. They have a faculty-to-student ratio of 20:1. Texas A&M University – Commerce’s office of career development has the standard array of services available for students and alumni.

#16 – University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio

The University of Toledo has the third-largest operating budget for a public university in the state of Ohio. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1, their online master’s of education in early childhood education is a 36-hour program that stresses four core foundations of the field, psychological, research, social, and curriculum. The University of Toledo’s career services office allows its students to access Rocket Jobs, a job/résumé database. The University of Toledo is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

#15 – University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama

In just over four decades, UAB has gone from an extension center for a nearby university to a full-fledged doctoral research university in its own right. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, they offer a 30-33 hour program resulting in an online master’s of education – early childhood. Coursework includes studying the child in school and critical pedagogy. The University of Alabama – Birmingham office of career and professional development can help students with résumé critiques and job search guidance. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#14 – Northwestern College

Orange City, Iowa

Northwestern College is a Christian institution that engages and empowers students on their faith journey. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, their online master’s of education in early childhood is a 33-hour program that can be completed in five to six semesters. Coursework includes advanced child development and leadership of early childhood programs. Their graduate tuition rate is $305 per credit hour. Academic support for online students is under development at the current time. Northwestern College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

#13 – Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

For more than a century, Northern Arizona University has been a public university focused on students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, their online master of education in early childhood education is a 30 credit hour program with optional fieldwork experience/internship. Students must choose one of three emphases, early childhood teacher, early childhood leadership or early childhood national board preparation. Studies include early childhood curriculum and selected topics in early childhood education. As an online graduate student at Northern Arizona University, you get a free account with Handshake, a website for job searching and networking.

#12 – Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, Georgia

Georgia Southern University’s online degree program was highly ranked in 2017 by U.S. News & World Report. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 21:1, their online master’s of education in early childhood education is a 36-hour program of study that offers the option of a level five teaching certificate to qualified candidates. Coursework includes advanced science methods and learning theories and applications. Their graduate tuition rate for this program is $410 per credit hour.

#11 – Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, Georgia

Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Kennesaw State University offers more than 70 degree, certification, and endorsement programs fully online. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 21:1, their online master of education in early childhood education is a 36-hour program including coursework in trends and issues in science for early childhood education and teaching number, operations and algebraic thinking. The program is intended to be completed in 13 months while continuing to teach. It offers the option of six endorsements, such as reading, gifted or ESOL. Their graduate tuition rate is $390 per credit hour.

#10 – Biola University

La Mirada, California

Founded in 1908, Biola University is a biblically centered, nationally ranked college in southern California. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, their online master’s of arts in education with the concentration of early childhood education is a 38-hour program that can be completed in 2-3 years while teaching full-time. Topics covered in the program include advanced educational psychology and classroom management in early childhood settings. Biola University offers success coaches to help with the details of education from orientation through graduation. Their graduate tuition rate for this program is $592 per credit hour, regardless of residency.

#9 – Stephen F. Austin State University

Nacogdoches, Texas

Stephen F. Austin is known as the “Father of Texas,” and the university that bears his name has been in operation since 1923. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1, their online master’s of education in early childhood is a 36 credit program offered in half term units during fall and spring semesters. Their graduate tuition rate is $392 per credit hour. The career services office at Stephen F. Austin University hopes to optimize your career satisfaction through developing career decision-making and job-searching skills.

#8 – Concordia University-Saint Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Concordia University – Saint Paul was founded in 1893 to provide a stellar education for students to prepare them for meaningful careers and successful lives. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1, their online master of arts in education – early childhood is a 33 credit-hour program that uses a 7-week course schedule. Diverse classroom and ethics for educators are topics covered in this program. Their graduate rate of tuition for this program is $395 per credit hour, regardless of residency. Concordia University – Saint Paul has received national recognition as a military-friendly higher-learning institution.

#7 – Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville, Alabama

Jacksonville State University is known as the “friendliest campus in the South,” and to that end, they offer almost 30 master’s degrees completely online to take that reputation worldwide. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, they offer a 34-37 hour program for their online master of science in education in early childhood education. Enhancing learning through children’s literature and practicum for young children are courses required for the degree. Their graduate tuition rate for this program is $382 per credit hour. Jacksonville State University’s career services office offers résumé critiques and mock interviews to help prepare you for entry into the workforce.

#6 – Mercer University

Macon, Georgia

Mercer University prides itself on providing the breadth of programming of a large university, while still maintaining the focus on students of a small liberal arts college. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, their online master’s of education in early childhood education is a 30-hour program including the theory of arithmetic and contemporary curriculum practices in early childhood education. It is structured as a 12-16 month program delivered in 8-week course sessions. Their graduate tuition rate is $590 per credit hour. Online graduate students at Mercer University are eligible for the services of the online writing lab, which will return paper drafts with comments in 24-48 hours.

#5 – University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

The Center for Online Education ranked University of North Dakota’s online master’s of science in early childhood education the #3 program of its kind in the country. They have a faculty-to-student ratio of 21:1. This is a 32 credit program that can be completed in 2+ years. Online students are charged the in-state tuition rate of $360.12, regardless of residency. Coursework includes curricular foundations in early childhood education and language development in children. The career services office of the University of North Dakota allows students to access the Career Connect job board as students and for a full semester after graduation.

#4 – Arizona State University

Tempe, Arizona

Arizona State University was ranked on the 2017 US News and World Report Best Colleges list in the Most Innovative category. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 23:1, their online master’s of education in curriculum and instruction (early childhood education) is a 30 credit-hour program (45 credit hours with certification to teach in Arizona). Student services include success coaches to help smooth the transition and offer support during online learning, career services for when you are almost finished with school, and discounts on software and technology with your student ID card. Their graduate tuition rate for this program is $565 per credit hour, regardless of residency.

#3 – Valdosta State University

Valdosta, Georgia

Valdosta State University offers in-state tuition rates to residents of Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, and, of course, Georgia. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1, their online master’s in education degree with a major in early childhood education is a 36-hour program. Topics covered in the program include assessment in early childhood education and early childhood inclusive environments. Their graduate tuition rate is $293 per credit hour. The career opportunities program at Valdosta State University offers individual career counseling services. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

#2 – Brandman University

Irvine, California

Brandman University’s online degree programs have been ranked by US News and World Report each year in the six years they have ranked such programs. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1, their online master’s of arts in education, leadership in early childhood education is a 30 credit-hour program including coursework in learning theory and research methods. Their graduate tuition rate for this program is $620 per credit hour, regardless of residency. Online students at Brandman University are encouraged to avail themselves of the career services office and the online technical support.

#1 – Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro, Pennsylvania

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania’s master of education in early childhood education was ranked #7 in OnlineU’s 2016 ranking of the nation’s most affordable early childhood education degrees online. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1, this is a 30-hour program including the course titles development of young learners and math and science for young children. Their graduate tuition rate for this program is $531 per credit hour. Online graduate students at the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania are eligible to use Interview Stream, which allows users to record themselves answering interview questions and forward the recording to others for feedback on those answers. Also, you are encouraged to use the résumé review services provided by Smarthinking.

This concludes the list of the 20 best online master’s in early childhood education.